Convener

*Stewart Maxwell (West Scotland) (SNP)

Deputy convener

*Neil Bibby (West Scotland) (Lab)

Committee members

*George Adam (Paisley) (SNP)

*Clare Adamson (Central Scotland) (SNP)

*Jayne Baxter (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)

*Colin Beattie (Midlothian North and Musselburgh) (SNP)

*Joan McAlpine (South Scotland) (SNP)

*Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD)

*Liz Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)

Committee substitutes

*Marco Biagi (Edinburgh Central) (SNP)

*Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab)

*Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con)

*Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands) (LD)

The following also participated:

Malcolm Burr (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar)

Sandy Longmuir (Scottish Rural Schools Network)

Leslie Manson (Association of Directors of Education in Scotland)

Eileen Prior (Scottish Parent Teacher Council)

Michael Russell (Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning)

Cleland Sneddon (Argyll and Bute Council)

Clerk to the committee

Terry Shevlin